False pregnancy in women or couvade syndrome in men: causes of pathology, how to determine whether there is a positive test for false pregnancy and how quickly it can be cured

03/22/2018 Category: Diseases and complicationsAuthor: Olga Arkhipova

False pregnancy is a rare phenomenon among women, for which scientists cannot give a clear explanation. The main cause of this condition is called psychosomatic disorders that arise against the background of excessive suspiciousness and emotional instability. Externally, classic signs of pregnancy may appear, but the true nature of the changes in a woman’s body lies in serious pathologies. Therefore, it is important to visit a female doctor in time to clarify the diagnosis and, if necessary, prescribe a course of therapy.

• How does the disease manifest itself?

  Video: what diseases masquerade as pregnancy

What is a false pregnancy

False (hysterical, imaginary) pregnancy refers to a mental disorder in which a woman considers herself to be carrying a child. Such confidence appears due to external changes characteristic of true pregnancy - cessation of menstruation, swelling of the mammary glands, pain in the lower abdomen, nausea. Science knows of cases where the abdominal volume of patients increased. Internally, the body also undergoes restructuring, intensively producing pregnancy hormones - progesterone and prolactin. Therefore, a pregnancy test may give a positive result.

In case of a false pregnancy, even a test can erroneously indicate conception.

In previous times, such pathology was not detected, which is why stories about “resolved” pregnancies appeared. Modern medicine makes it possible to determine the presence of a fetus in the uterus even in the early stages of the gestational period. And despite this, among 3-4 thousand pregnant women there is one representative with pseudo-pregnancy.

In my opinion, in the age of nanotechnology and robotization, there should be no talk of pseudo-pregnancy in women at all. After all, modern equipment makes it possible to make an accurate diagnosis even in the first weeks after conception. However, many women are afraid to visit a doctor and bring their condition to a critical level. In this case, you cannot do without the help of a neurologist.

Girls with a sensitive psyche are at greatest risk for developing such a specific disease. The ability to self-hypnosis and excessive impressionability also play an important role.

The risk group includes women who have previously unsuccessfully tried to conceive a child, or, conversely, overly vigilant ladies with a fear of finding themselves in an interesting position.

In addition, the disease can occur in susceptible nulliparous girls, especially if there are pregnant women around. Those who have experienced miscarriages or the loss of a mother's newborn child are also susceptible to the disease, since such a negative experience has a serious impact on the stability of the emotional background.

Interesting fact! Signs of a false pregnancy can also appear in men who are under a strong impression during their partner’s pregnancy.

If we talk about the age category, the pathology is more common among representatives of the fair sex who have no children after 35 years of age than among young women.

Causes

Imaginary pregnancy is a syndrome known for centuries. Previously, such incidence was higher, since for many centuries a woman was seen only in the role of a mother, and her existence was considered useless if she could not start a family. A modern woman has a lot of other responsibilities and problems. Additionally, thanks to technological advancements, many women with fertility problems can become pregnant.

False pregnancy is a rare occurrence; out of 4,000 pregnant women, only one is diagnosed with such a disorder.

Causes of pseudopregnancy:

• fear that the husband will leave if there is no child;
• uncontrollable desire to become pregnant;
• miscarriages;
• infertility;
• loneliness;
• death of a child;
• low self-esteem;
• childhood sexual abuse;
• emotional stress;
• fear of getting pregnant (rare);
• menopause and the desire to have a child.

The exact cause of this condition is difficult to determine, since this syndrome manifests itself as a combination of hormonal, psychological, physiological and physical factors.

How does the disease manifest itself?

The disease is dangerous because during pseudo-pregnancy, such changes occur in a woman’s body as if a new life was really born inside.

Pseudopregnancy may be accompanied by morning sickness and loss of strength.

Scientists do not find an explanation for these symptoms, however, in patients with hysterical pregnancy the following vegetative (associated with impaired nervous activity) signs of the disease appear:

• toxicosis, periodic nausea;
• increased fatigue, drowsiness, loss of strength;
• perversion of food preferences and craving for a certain product (pickles, sour apples, etc.);
• sudden change of mood.

I had this... here is one explanation, we are setting ourselves up so much, and we want to be pregnant, that we ourselves are “driven”)))), but then disappointment sets in ((((. It’s better not to get set up, but to let go of the situation, everything will work out right away !!!!!!!!

Elena, Barnaul

https://www.babyblog.ru/community/post/conception/1712399

Against the background of an altered mental state, the woman’s body begins hormonal changes, as a result of which:

• the mammary glands become engorged and enlarged, in rare cases even colostrum is released;
• the volume of the abdomen increases due to the growth of subcutaneous tissue;
• excess weight appears;
• constipation begins;
• the spine is curved in the lower part, as with lordosis in pregnant women;
• flatulence increases, intestinal motility is disrupted, which is why the patient feels imaginary fetal movement;
• in extremely rare cases, imaginary labor begins.

The absence of menstruation also forces a woman to consider herself pregnant. Moreover, the cycle does not recover on its own either after a month or after three. Only a timely visit to the gynecologist and identification of the true cause of the cycle disorder will help to cope with the disease and exclude other pathologies.

Indeed, in reality, the reason for a delay in menstruation can be:

• hypovitaminosis - when the body lacks vitamins and the cycle fails;
• sudden weight loss - during strict diets, metabolism is disrupted, which negatively affects ovulation;
• taking oral contraceptives;
• violation of the integrity of the uterine organ due to surgical interventions;
• secondary amenorrhea is a disorder in which ovulation stops;
• uterine fibroids - when a benign tumor appears in the uterus;
• ovarian cyst - a tumor formation in the form of a bubble filled with fluid;
• diseases of the endocrine organs - dysfunction of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands or pituitary gland, which causes hormonal imbalance.

Video: what diseases masquerade as pregnancy

Diagnostics

An obstetrician-gynecologist knows how to identify a false pregnancy. This requires an integrated approach. Thus, establishing a correct diagnosis will include:

• studying the medical history and life history of the patient - to search for the most likely cause that could lead to pseudopregnancy;
• performing a gynecological examination - in case of a false pregnancy, the woman will not have the most characteristic signs. These include cyanosis of the cervix and vaginal area, as well as enlargement and softening of the uterus;
• a detailed survey of the patient regarding the first time of appearance and intensity of symptoms characteristic of the period of bearing a child;
• performing a pregnancy test that will show a positive result;
• general blood test - to determine the concentration of hCG in the blood;
• clinical laboratory study of urine - to determine the level of human chorionic gonadotropin;
• biological and immunological tests;
• plain radiography of the peritoneum;
• Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and pelvic organs.

In addition, consultations with the following specialists will be needed:

• endocrinologist;
• psychiatrist;
• psychotherapist.

All of the above diagnostic measures are aimed not only at establishing the correct diagnosis, but also at carrying out differential diagnosis. An imaginary pregnancy must be distinguished from:

• simulated pregnancy;
• frozen pregnancy;
• ectopic pregnancy;
• the course of the tumor process in the peritoneum or in the pelvic organs.

Why does false pregnancy occur?

The causes of the disease lie in the unstable emotional state of a woman, which arises due to various stressful situations. These include abortion, infertility, and even the “interesting” position of girlfriends.

For impressionable girls, being near a pregnant woman can become an impetus for the development of pseudo-pregnancy.

Scientists claim that pseudopregnancy begins due to disruption of the pituitary gland, hormonal imbalance and mental disorders - neuroses, psychoses, hysteria. The combination of these factors causes a malfunction in the body, which is why the woman considers herself to be carrying a child.

Thus, the reasons for an imaginary pregnancy are:

• strong psycho-emotional stress - depression due to infertility, self-hypnosis due to the desire to save the family with the help of a child, experiences after a missed pregnancy, an obsessive desire to become pregnant during menopause, or, conversely, a desperate reluctance to have children;
• physical fatigue - due to exhaustion of the body, sexuality is suppressed and symptoms of pseudo-pregnancy appear;
• hormonal and gynecological pathologies - when ovarian function is disrupted, menstruation stops, which is why the woman is inclined to think that conception has occurred.

Couvade syndrome in men: causes

Oddly enough, men may also experience symptoms of the disorder. However, in the stronger sex, this usually occurs due to a feeling that is highly identified with the partner. Such psychosomatic disorders develop against the backdrop of all the experiences of a pregnant wife. If she feels nausea, morning weakness and other symptoms that appear when carrying a child, her partner will also feel all this.

Couvade syndrome in men, if it occurs once, will manifest itself with each subsequent pregnancy of the wife.

One of the reasons for this behavior dates back to childhood. In those families where a boy is raised by one mother, or where the father’s opinion is absolutely not taken into account, the child develops modified masculine qualities. Often such men in adulthood strongly associate themselves with their mother, and then with their wife.

Why is pseudopregnancy dangerous?

The condition itself does not pose a threat to the life and health of a woman. However, due to a tense psycho-emotional state, a woman may develop neurosis or depression.

After discovering that the pregnancy is false, women often become depressed

After all, for some time the imaginary pregnant woman remains in a confident state of expecting a baby. It is especially difficult for women who have undergone unsuccessful infertility treatment or experienced a miscarriage. Therefore, the support of relatives and timely psychological assistance is important.

The danger of false pregnancy also lies in the fact that impressionable and sensitive young ladies try to resort to suicide after diagnosis. Therefore, the constant presence of close people next to the patient is necessary until her complete recovery.

Often, an imaginary pregnancy occurs due to hormonal imbalance, which also affects the woman’s mental health.

Etiology

False or imaginary pregnancy is considered in gynecology to be a rather rare disorder in which a woman does not feign her condition, but in fact is confident that she will have a child.

The reasons for the formation of such a pathology are not fully understood, however, it is believed that factors of a psychological or emotional nature that arise against the background of endocrine, autonomic and somatic disorders lead to it.

The most common sources of development of this syndrome are:

• dysfunction of the pituitary gland - in this case, increased secretion of hormones is observed;
• the course of an ectopic pregnancy;
• ovarian dysfunction, as well as the formation of malignant or benign tumors on such internal organs of the female reproductive system;
• pathologies of the adrenal glands;
• presence of hypothyroidism;
• instability of psycho-emotional state;
• neuroses and psychoses;
• hysterical state;
• ovarian cysts;
• uterine fibroids and other gynecological pathologies;
• formation of secondary amenorrhea.

In addition to the above pathological sources of such a disorder, among the predisposing factors it is worth highlighting:

• the course of pregnancy with a close relative or friend - in this case, the patient herself wants to experience the state of pregnancy and the closeness of motherhood;
• diagnosed infertility;
• prolonged and unsuccessful attempts to get pregnant - the main risk group is the fairer sex in the age category of thirty to forty years;
• previous loss of a child;
• the woman has a medical history of repeated spontaneous termination of pregnancy at various stages;
• reluctance to have children and the presence of panic fear before the period of bearing a child and labor.

It is worth noting that false pregnancy syndrome affects not only the female half of humanity, but also the male half. It is relatively rare for men to experience pregnancy symptoms. Often this happens against the background of strong empathy for the condition of the partner who is currently bearing the child.

The course of a false pregnancy

The course of the disease is similar to the condition of a woman carrying a baby. The patient suffers from toxicosis and headaches, smells are perceived more acutely, and from the 20th week of an imaginary pregnancy even “fetal movements” are felt.

With an imaginary pregnancy, a woman wants to have a child so much that she fully experiences the symptoms of a true pregnancy.

In the absence of proper attention on the part of the woman, an imaginary pregnancy can last from three to nine months and will be eliminated after medical intervention. Moreover, even after the restoration of the menstrual cycle and prolapse of the abdomen, it can be difficult to convince pseudo-pregnant women of the absence of an “interesting position.” Therefore, the help of a psychologist is mandatory.

A year and a half ago I was even placed on conservation status. 4-5 weeks, threat of miscarriage, etc. But in the end it turned out to be a false pregnancy... And this happens. My husband still hasn’t understood anything - what happened to me?!? The gynecologist on the chair estimated 4-5 weeks based on the size of the uterus, but did not refer me for an ultrasound. My period lasted for one day (it started in the morning and ended in the evening). When the pain in the lower abdomen began, I was sent for storage without waiting for the results of hCG. Because It was Friday evening, the test results were received only on Monday (this is how our valiant gynecologists work). After a negative hCG, they sent me home. But apparently there was really a hormonal imbalance. And a month later - ectopic

nyny

https://eva.ru/static/forums/49/2006_6/664253.html

If the pseudo-pregnant woman does not go to a medical facility, the expected birth with contractions may begin. In modern medicine, such cases are observed less and less frequently, but before the invention of ultrasound and express tests, labor without a newborn was recorded by doctors.

Symptoms

The clinical manifestation of false pregnancy in women is practically no different from the symptoms of real pregnancy. With such a disorder, the presence of:

• delay or complete absence of menstruation;
• morning signs of toxicosis, which include nausea and vomiting, increased fatigue and excessive salivation, as well as drowsiness;
• frequent mood swings;
• swelling of the lower extremities;
• unusual taste preferences;
• enlargement of the mammary glands and even the release of colostrum;
• increased gas formation;
• an increase in the size of the abdomen - this occurs due to the increased formation of subcutaneous tissue in the area of ​​the anterior wall of the abdominal cavity;
• constipation;
• sensations of fetal movement - this is the most specific, but at the same time the rarest symptom;
• false labor pains – also expressed extremely rarely.

The situation is aggravated by the fact that in case of an imaginary pregnancy, the results of specially designed tests show a positive result.

In the vast majority of cases, signs of false pregnancy persist for three or four months, but in particularly suspicious representatives of the weaker half of humanity, characteristic symptoms can manifest themselves much longer, up to seven months.

How to identify the disease

It is not possible for a woman to independently distinguish an imaginary pregnancy from a real one. Because the patient believes in her “interesting” situation. Therefore, at the first signs of pregnancy, you need to contact a gynecologist to confirm or refute the pregnancy status.

First of all, the imaginary pregnant woman is examined by a gynecologist

To understand that a woman has an imaginary pregnancy, research is carried out:

• visual examination on a chair - in this case, there is no change in the cervix (the organ does not change color and does not soften);
• Ultrasound of the uterus and appendages is the most accurate diagnostic method, since in some cases and in cases of pseudopregnancy, the epithelium of the cervix is ​​rebuilt due to hormonal imbalance;
• blood and urine test for the presence of hCG - the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin appears only when secreted by the fetal membrane (and if there is no fetus, then the result will be negative);
• X-ray of the abdominal cavity - allows you to identify the true causes of disorders in the body and detect diseases that have led to the cessation of menstruation and weight gain.

If there is no pregnancy, and the woman persistently claims “fetal movements” or otherwise refuses to accept the diagnosis, the patient is referred to a conversation with a psychotherapist. After all, only in this case can the true causes of a mental disorder be identified and measures taken in a timely manner.

Video: Are pregnancy tests wrong?

False pregnancy in women - symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Forecasts

To confirm the diagnosis, the woman is prescribed an ultrasound examination, determination of human chorionic gonadotropin in the urine and a plain radiography of the abdominal cavity.

In addition, a gynecological examination cannot always refute her statements. Due to many pathologies or gynecological diseases, a visual examination by a doctor may not reveal the imaginary onset of conception, since signs of pregnancy (enlargement of the uterus and softening of its cervix) can mislead even an experienced specialist.

To be fair, it should be noted that such drastic changes in the body are diagnosed extremely rarely. Most often, an imaginary pregnancy is recognized at the stage of a home test or gynecological examination. The remaining doubts will be dispelled by hardware and clinical studies: ultrasound diagnostics and a blood test to determine the level of hCG in the body.

We should not forget that in this case it is extremely important to carry out a differentiated diagnosis, without excluding the possibility of ectopic fertilization or frozen pregnancy. Therefore, radiography of the abdominal cavity in an overview form is often used as a diagnosis.

Treatment methods for pseudopregnancy

Since the nature of the disease is psychosomatic, the woman undergoes psychotherapy. Most often, such treatment consists of confidential conversations with the patient to eliminate nervous tension and identify the cause of thoughts about an “interesting” situation. In rare cases, hypnotic influence, heterosuggestion (which means “third-party suggestion”) or autosuggestion (self-suggestion) is required.

Psychotherapy is the main method of treating false pregnancy caused by a mental disorder

When a false pregnancy occurs due to hormonal disorders, you cannot do without the help of an endocrinologist. In this case, medications are prescribed to restore hormonal balance:

• for polycystic ovary syndrome - Clomiphene, Duphaston, Time Factor, Cyclodinone;
• for galactose amenorrhea - Bromocriptine, Femoston, Androkur, Utrozhestan;
• in case of adrenal gland dysfunction - Roserpine, Cyproheptadine, Difenin.

In addition, the doctor may prescribe vitamins E or C, as well as herbal medicines (such as Klimadinon or Remens) aimed at restoring the menstrual cycle.

If pseudopregnancy is associated with diseases of the female genital organs, then, depending on the disease, the woman undergoes an appropriate course of treatment.

In extreme cases, when surgical intervention is unavoidable, an operation is performed to remove pathologically altered organs:

• ovaries - for malignant tumors and polycystic disease;
• adrenal glands - for tumors of these organs, as well as the pituitary gland.

The most obvious sign of pregnancy is the absence of menstruation. But with an imaginary pregnancy, such a pathology becomes a signal of diseases of the woman’s genital organs. Or the cycle is disrupted due to stress and neuroses. To return menstruation, you can resort to folk remedies:

• Rhodiola rosea roots - in the form of an alcohol tincture, taken before meals, 10 drops three times a day. The course of treatment is 3 months. The tincture is prepared by infusing dry raw materials in 0.4 liters of alcohol for 20 days.
• Chamomile flowers - prepared as a decoction, used for douching for one to two weeks. The procedure is carried out every other day. The decoction is prepared at the rate of two tablespoons of raw materials per liter of water. The medicine is obtained after the mixture boils.
• Parsley juice - obtained by squeezing or grinding in a blender, is taken freshly squeezed and diluted with water at a rate of 1:2 for two weeks. The dosage is 1 teaspoon of solution three times a day.

Treatment

Photo: vulgarpower.ru

A condition such as false pregnancy, as a rule, does not require specific treatment. In this case, it is important to very delicately explain to the woman about her condition. In addition, the support and care of loved ones is required. If necessary, a course of psychotherapy is prescribed, since individual sessions with a qualified specialist will help stabilize the woman’s general condition. During a conversation with a psychotherapist, you can understand your inner experiences and find a solution to the current problem.

During treatment, the symptoms of false pregnancy are eliminated, including the normalization of the menstrual cycle. If the menstrual cycle is not restored, the doctor prescribes hormonal medications. In such cases, combined oral contraceptives (COCs) are often used, during which it is necessary to strictly follow all recommendations of the attending physician. In addition, sedatives, tranquilizers or antidepressants may be prescribed among medications to help a woman cope with psycho-emotional stress. For general strengthening of the body, vitamin-mineral complexes are used, the combined form of which allows you to fully saturate the body with all the necessary vitamins and minerals.

Additionally, non-drug treatment methods may be prescribed:

• massage. The use of various techniques of manual or hardware mechanical influence on the surface of the body provides pronounced relaxing, tonic and antispasmodic effects;
• reflexology is a method of physiotherapy based on influencing reflexogenic points. The impact can be carried out not only with the help of needles, but also with finger pressure, electrical impulses and other methods;
• aromatherapy is an alternative medicine method based on inhaling air saturated with essential oils. In the treatment of neurasthenia, certain essential oils are used that have a calming effect. As a result, tension is eliminated, performance increases, and sleep quality improves;
• Electrosleep is a therapeutic sleep that occurs under the influence of current pulses that cause inhibition of subcortical connections in brain tissue. Special electrodes are placed on closed eyes and behind the ears, during which the person feels a pulsation or a slight tingling sensation. Sleep duration varies from 30 minutes to 2 hours. It is recommended to use this procedure every day or every other day.

Prevention and prognosis

Specially designed measures to prevent such a disorder have not been developed, since doctors do not fully know the mechanisms and causes of such pathology. However, to prevent the development of the disease it is necessary:

• provide a favorable microclimate in the family;
• maintain a trusting relationship with a partner;
• do not ignore symptoms and seek qualified help in a timely manner;
• engage in early detection and comprehensive treatment of hormonal disorders, gynecological and endocrine pathologies;
• minimize heavy physical activity;
• If possible, completely avoid the influence of stress and nervous tension;
• undergo a full medical examination several times a year, with mandatory visits to a gynecologist, endocrinologist, psychologist and psychotherapist.

The prognosis of an imaginary pregnancy is often favorable - if such a condition has already been cured once, then the recurrence of the disease in the vast majority of cases does not develop.

Many patients are interested in the question of whether pseudopregnancy can go away on its own. This is quite possible only in cases where the characteristic clinical manifestations were not caused by other pathologies.

It is worth noting that in men this condition does not develop so strongly, does not lead to thoughts of suicide, and goes away as soon as the partner gives birth to a child.